Diplomatic Immunity

Jack Straw: From a community of around 23,000 in the United Kingdom entitled to diplomatic immunity, 11 serious offences, allegedly committed by such persons, were drawn to the attention of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2004. "Serious Offences" are defined in accordance with the 1985 White Paper on Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges—that is as offences that would, in certain circumstances, carry a penalty of 12 months or more imprisonment.

Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations (Violations)

Diplomatic Missions (Unpaid Rates)

Correction to Oral Answer

Stephen Timms: I have today placed in the Library the latest quarterly progress report on Pension Credit, with figures to the end of September. The report gives the number of households and individuals receiving Pension Credit overall, broken down by the Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit and by Government Office Region and parliamentary constituency.
	The total number of households receiving Pension Credit at 30 September 2005 was 2.71 million, or around 3.30 million individuals. The average weekly award is now £43.54.
	The figures show that there were just under 2.1 million households, or 2.48 million individuals, getting Pension Credit Guarantee awards as at 30 September.
	In future, Pension Credit caseload figures will be incorporated within the National Statistics reporting framework. The multi-benefit release of National Statistics in January 2006, including detailed Pension Credit figures for August 2005 will also include provisional headline Pension Credit statistics for November 2005.
	Copies of the report are also available for hon. Members in the Vote Office.